The EverQuest II Website announces that EverQuest II Extended is now out of beta, offering a way to play Sony Online Entertainment's MMORPG sequel free-of-charge. Word is: "To celebrate the launch, EQ2X players can claim their free Staff of the Rising Phoenix from the in-game Marketplace on the Freeport server. The staff is an appearance-only item, depicting a phoenix engulfed in glowing flames, and will be available for a limited time only, so be sure to claim yours before 11:59 pm PDT on Sunday, October 3rd."